Page 153 of The Silver Fox Brother

We continue eating, but I notice we keep stealing glances at each other. Our eyes meet across the table and hold for a beat longer than necessary before one of us looks away. Then it happens again. And again. The air between us feels different this morning. Less charged with raw desire and more... something else. Something I'm not ready to name yet.

Winter catches me looking at her again and she gets this shy expression.

"What? What is it?"

I study her for a moment. The way the morning light hits her face. The way she's sitting there in my robe, in my suite, eating breakfast I ordered for her.

"I'm glad we sorted things out last night," I say.

Winter smiles, and there's mischief in it.

"Is that what we're calling it?"

I nod slowly. "We can call it more than that if you want."

Our eyes lock and neither of us looks away this time. The moment stretches between us, heavy with unspoken words. I could say more. Could tell her that last night was different. That every time with her is different. That I haven't felt this way about anyone in years—maybe ever.

But I don't. Not yet.

Winter takes another sip of coffee, breaking the moment, but the feeling lingers. We finish eating, the conversation shifting to lighter topics. She asks about the Naples development, about the design choices, about the market here versus New York. I tell her about the challenges of building in Florida, about hurricane codes and coastal regulations. She listens with genuine interest, asking thoughtful questions that show she's actually paying attention.

It's easy. Talking to her is easy in a way that conversation with other women never has been. When we're both finished, I stand and start clearing the plates.

"Leave it," Winter says. "They'll come get it."

"I know." But I move them anyway, something to do with my hands.

Winter stands too, retying the robe around her waist.

"So what time is your meeting?"

I glance at my phone on the counter.

"In about two hours. I should shower and get ready."

"Okay." She nods.

"I'll do some work. Check in with my studio, make sure everything's running smoothly."

"Sounds good." I pause, then add, "Be ready around five. We'll head out."

Winter tilts her head. "You're not going to tell me where we're going?"

"No." I meet her eyes. "You'll have to find out."

She crosses her arms, but there's a smile playing at her lips.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you? The mystery."

"Maybe."

"Should I dress up? Dress down? Give me something to work with here."

I let my eyes travel down her body, still covered by the robe, and then back up to her face.

"Wear whatever you want. You'll look good regardless."

A flush creeps up her neck and I feel a surge of satisfaction knowing I put it there.